18
April 29, 2014
coMMunity
The Valley Catholic
Companions in Ignatian Service and Spirituality offer learning to seniors
“Companions has added a whole
new level of meaning and purpose to
my life after retirement. What an incredible opportunity for growth and
learning. I know that I am making a
difference,” the 65-year-old former real
estate broker wrote after completing her
first year with Companions in Ignatian
Spirituality and Service.
Over the past six years, retired
Catholics in Santa Clara County and
the East Bay have joined a program
that integrates spiritual growth with
volunteering with the poor.
Next September, the Ignatian Spiritual Life Center at St. Agnes Parish
in San Francisco will host Ignatian
Companions for retired San Francisco
women and men.
Companions in Ignatian Spirituality
and Service was launched six years ago
at Santa Clara University. It is modeled
on the Jesuit Volunteer Corps which
focuses on young college graduates who
devote one year serving the poor and
marginalized.
Ignatian Companions is organized
over a 10-month period from September
to June.
A typical Ignatian Companions
“class” consists of 8-12 people who meet
one Friday morning a month with a
facilitator to discuss and share their stories and experiences of spiritual growth
and service.
Ignatian Companions gather (left photo) Susan Watkins, Barbara Gerwe, Father John
Mossi, SJ; (right photo) Judy Sullivan, Karol Korbel, wife of Companion Dan Korbel, and
Maureen Standifer.
The Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius have been adapted to correspond
to the liturgical year and to reflect the
service engagement of participants over
the 10-month term. Between retreats,
companions spend time daily with
an assigned portion of the Exercise
materials as well as developing a personal program of prayer and meditation. Participants also have a monthly
meeting with a spiritual director of their